Agriculture, Animal Control and Weights & Measures
525 South Foothill Drive, Yreka, CA 96097
Phone: (530) 841-4025, Fax: (530) 842-6690
Consumer and Industry Protection
Fresh Fruit, Nut, Vegetable and Honey Quality
Control
This program is responsible for enforcing quality standards for many of
the fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables and honey available for sale at the
wholesale and retail level. These standards are set by the industry and
serve three purposes:
They assist the production industry in maintaining high quality produce,
They permit the buying of produce "sight unseen" by ensuring that a
"grade" placed on the produce is standardized throughout the industry,
They protect the consumer from inferior quality produce
Egg Quality Control
This program is designed similarly to the fruit and vegetable quality
control program above. It assures a standardized grading and sizing
system so that the egg producing industry remains competitive and we
afford some protection to the consumer. Additionally, some of the egg
quality standards protect the health of the public. Various diseases
such as Salmonella have recently been linked t the improper storage of
eggs. Egg inspection is performed at the retail and wholesale level.
Weights and Measures
Even though many people may be unaware of this program, it affects
everyone's daily life. The program includes:
The testing of pre-packaged commodities to assure that the net-quantity
statement on the label is accurate.
The testing and inspection of commercial weighing and measuring devices
to insure accuracy to protect the buyer and seller.
Enforcing requirements for petroleum products including antifreeze,
brake fluid, motor oil, grades of diesel and octane levels of gasoline.
We enforce Weighmaster rules and regulations to ensure compliance with
State law so that the public and industry are informed as to what was
purchased or sold.
We promote fairness and equity in the marketplace for Siskiyou County
residents and businesses. The mission of weights and measures is to
allow a good value comparison to the consumer while maintaining fair
competition between business.
Crop Report
The annual crop report is required by the Food and Agricultural Code
Section 2279 for the purpose of publishing an accurate and meaningful
report on the state of the agricultural conditions in Siskiyou County.
Every year, between 350 and 400 copies of the county's crop report are
requested by a variety of businesses. Lending and financial institutions
are very interested in the crop report.
Certified Farmers’ Markets (Direct Marketing)
These important markets give the producers of farm products the option
of selling directly to the consumer without the requirements of meeting
size, pack, container, and labeling requirements (Standardization). This
forum gives the public a "direct" link to the production of the crop by
buying the produce from the grower. We have had two markets operating in
the county, with 24 growers participating in the markets.
Organic Producers
We are the local enforcement agency regarding the registration of
organic producers and handlers. We assist the people and businesses in
the registration process and we explain the requirements of the
California organic law. No pesticides may have been used on the land for
organic food production two years prior to the production of food
labeled as `organic,' and of course, no pesticides may be used on these
crops once they are considered organic.
Currently, we have 14 registered growers in Siskiyou County!